Corey Fisher knows a thing or two about playing basketball in New Jersey. The former Villanova guard who was born in The Bronx, attended St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, N.J., less than seven miles from the Prudential Center, where the Nets play.

A star in high school, and the New Jersey player of the year in 2007, Fisher led his high school to the Non-Public Group B State Championship, and the Boys Basketball Tournament of Champions in 2007.

He set a state record by scoring 32 points in the final. Fisher was one of six players who attended the Nets’ pre-draft workout yesterday morning at the teams practice facility in East Rutherford.

The Nets have two picks in the draft — No. 27 in the first round and No. 36 in the second round — and Fisher, a projected late second-rounder, should still be available when they select in the draft on June 23. The thought of playing in his backyard was not lost on Fisher.

“It would mean everything to me. I grew up watching the Nets and the Knicks. I have family in New York and New Jersey,” Fisher said. “Once I saw my schedule with the Nets, I was real happy. It was a great workout. Hopefully I will be a Net.”

His decision to stay in school after his junior year instead of leaving early for the draft appears to have helped his stock. Fisher’s offensive numbers improved in each of his four college seasons, and his 15.6 points per game and 4.8 assists led the Wildcats last season.

“I think that’s one of the reason why I stayed in college for four years. I wanted to polish my game. Certain people move on who aren’t ready for the NBA, but I wanted to accomplish my goal, and graduate college and improve every year,” Fisher said. “Coach [Jay] Wright really talked me into not leaving early, and I think it was the best for me.”

Listed at a generous 6-foot-1, Fisher’s build has scouts comparing him to another Villanova point guard — and former teammate of Fisher’s — Scottie Reynolds. Though chosen as a first-team All-American, Reynolds was not chosen in last year’s NBA draft, but worked out with the Suns before deciding to play in Europe. Fisher said he has spoken to Reynolds about the draft, and isn’t worried his path to the NBA will follow a similar route.

“We’re two totally different players. He’s talked me through this process, and he told me to go out and compete,” Fisher said.

Nets general manager Billy King isn’t worried about Fisher’s size. The ex-Philadelphia 76ers GM knows him very well.

“I’ve seen Corey, he knows how to play, and he can score,” King said. “He’s got the body to play.”

Questions arose toward the end of the college basketball season when Villanova struggled, losing its final six games of the season, including first round losses in the Big East and NCAA tournaments. The losing streak coincided with Fisher shooting just 27-for-86, including scoring in single-digits in three games while still playing over 30 minutes per game.

“I wasn’t healthy in the middle of the year. I was having knee problems and tendentious. But I wanted to show my young teammates that I’m gonna keep working hard,” Fisher said. “Any New York guard, that is something we have: toughness.”

Fisher’s good friend and teammate for all four years at Villanova, Anthony Pena was one of the other five players attending the workout. While Pena is not expected to be drafted, he said the experience was a little easier since he was going through it with his friend.

“It definitely makes it easier. Me and [Corey] went to the same workout for the Cavs and it makes this a lot easier,” Pena said. “It takes away some of the nerves since you got somebody who will stay with you.”

With the Nets expected to move to Brooklyn in time for the 2012 season, Pena, who is from Coney Island, said playing in his hometown would be “a great experience.”